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Editorial Stylist of the Year – Jason Chong-Li

We were lucky enough to chat with the uber talented Jason Chong-Li, winner of Editorial Stylist of the Year at the NZ Hairdressing Awards. Find out what the biggest hair trends are for winter 2013 and what his must have products are below…

How long have you been doing hair for?
I’ve been in the industry for about seven years.

What drew you to the hairdressing industry?
I have always loved playing with hair, whether it’s my own or someone elses. Luckily, I was able to turn my passion into a career!

Who and what inspires you?
Everything inspires me. Music, fashion, travelling – everything I am exposed to. My boss (Stephen Marr) and the wider team are people I truly admire and I often draw inspiration from them. Internationally, there are too many to name.

What are the biggest hair trends emerging for winter 2013?
This season is all about being clean, from silhouette to texture. We are seeing a lot of straight, middle partings on the runways. Something quite clean, from the silhouette to texture. But I don’t really like talking about trend. It’s more about individual and tailoring.

What are the most common mistakes people make when it comes to their hair?
Often people don’t understand their hair type, what works well and what does not. Don’t be a slave to hair trends, but instead ask your stylist to complement your best features.

What are your top tips for amazing hair?
Understand your hair. Regular visits the salon. Learn some tips to style your hair and practice. Regular home treatment is very important too.

What are your must-have products?
Wella’s ocean spritz and o&m surf bomb are two stand-outs for me. Sebastian trilliant shine and heat protection spray. A Mason Pearson brush and a tail comb are two essential ‘tools’ that should be in your kit.

What’s the ultimate girls’ night out hair look and how can we achieve it at home?
I call it ‘effortless sexy hair’ – this is always a winner! To achieve it, you need the right tools; invest a good blow dryer, curling tong or iron. Run a texturising product through your hair to ensure it’s not too perfect looking.